Mobile phone suitable for older people?

[Marina]

As Mumsnetters have the answers to everything, I just wondered if anyone out there has bought a mobile phone for someone older - we are talking mid/late seventies here. The recipients (my parents) are a bit deaf and although not arthritic a bit flummoxed by the teeny tiny buttons on our home digital phone. They did request the mobile for Christmas, though - I am not inflicting a horrible surprise on them.
I'm hoping there's a model out there with larger than average buttons...and simple to operate. WAP compatibility and downloadable ring tones are not an issue here (God forbid).
Anyone any ideas or recommendations? Or could there be a gap in the market?

[Snugs]

Think you might have a long search Marina - an older 2nd hand phone might do the job but otherwise technology 'advances' just mean everything is shrinking.

How about one with 1 touch speed dials and/or voice activation (Nokia 3330 for example) , both of which you could pre-programme for your parents.

[jac34]

Hi Marina,
I have exactly the same problem, I would go along with the second hand thing. After looking around, I decided they are all just too small, and have decided to get a new one and give them my old brick.

[Marina]

Thanks jac34 and Snugs, I sort of suspected something like this. I was in Carphone Warehouse casing the joint the other day, and all the phones seemed so titchy.
So...do you or anyone else know how I go about getting a second hand mobile from a good, trustworthy source? Do Phones4u or Carphone Warehouse sell them? I'd be grateful for any leads.

[MandyD]

How about entering the make/model no. into the search facility on Ebay? I'm sure there might be phone shops (not the big multiples) offering older phones on there, possibly with some guarantee or service arrangement?

[Marina]

Thanks MandyD (glad to see from the other thread that you are OK, sorry to hear what you have both been through).
Well, to update people - neither Age Concern or Help the Aged's otherwise excellent websites have anything on this subject, but an organisation called RICAbility does a booklet on Choosing Phones for Older and Disabled People. Because models go out of date so fast, it doesn't recommend specific brands, but gives an idea of what to look for. Thank goodness I started thinking about this a little in advance.